Alan stood quietly outside the gates of Blackridge High School.
After a brief pause, he stepped inside.
The school ground was empty. As he walked across it toward the main building, his eyes slowly scanned the surroundings. Memories from eight years ago lingered in his mind, but unlike before, they didn't make him uneasy.
He felt calm.
Expressionless.
His gaze shifted toward the principal's office. Without hesitation, he walked up and opened the door.
The principal looked up from his desk, curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"Oh, hello," the principal said. "Are you here for a new admission?"
Alan didn't speak. He simply nodded.
"I see," the principal continued. "Your name, age, address, parents' names, and contact details?"
"My name is Alan. I'm sixteen," he replied calmly. "The rest, I don't want to answer."
The principal raised an eyebrow. "If you don't provide your parents' contact, how are we supposed to reach them?"
Alan had expected resistance.
Instead, the principal nodded.
"Alright, Alan," he said. "Second floor. That will be your class."
Alan nodded once and walked out.
He was surprised, though he didn't show it. Any normal school would have pushed further, but this one didn't.
As he walked down the hallway toward his classroom, a few students noticed him and began whispering among themselves.
Alan stopped outside the classroom door and stepped in.
The teacher was in the middle of a lesson but paused when she saw him.
"Hello there," she said. "Are you new?"
Alan nodded and walked inside.
"Alright, class," the teacher announced. "We have a new student today. Please introduce yourself."
"I'm Alan."
Silence filled the room.
"Is that all?" the teacher asked.
"Yes, sir," Alan replied calmly. "I don't have much to say."
The teacher hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "You can sit on the second last bench near the window."
Alan walked to his seat and sat down.
Murmurs spread across the classroom.
After a short while, the teacher left the room. Almost immediately, one boy stood up, looked around, and signaled his friends. Several of them followed him out.
Alan remained focused on his book, though he was fully aware of everything happening around him.
He noticed the glances, the whispers. Especially from the girls, who smiled and nudged each other.
He didn't care.
Suddenly, a hand slammed down on his shoulder.
"Yo," the boy said. "You a transfer student?"
Alan didn't look at him. He simply shook his head.
"Oh? Then why'd you join this school?" the boy continued. "You don't even know where you've come, do you?"
Alan stayed silent.
"Oi," a girl spoke up. "Stop annoying him. Go do your gang nonsense somewhere else."
"Relax," the boy scoffed. "I'm just talking."
"By slamming your hand on his shoulder?" she shot back.
"Why're you so upset?" the boy smirked. "You like him or something?"
The girl frowned. "It's not like that… never mind. Do whatever you want."
Both of them walked away.
Alan turned a page in his book.
This school has changed, he thought. But that's not my goal right now.
I have to find them.
Bob… and his two dogs, Coner and Andrew.
I will find them.
---
During lunch break, Alan sat alone in the cafeteria, eating quietly.
A boy walked past his table, a girl clinging to his arm.
"That's Daniel," someone whispered nearby. "He's really handsome… too bad he's taken."
Alan glanced over.
Brown hair. Sharp features. A red-and-black uniform.
Daniel stopped and raised his voice.
"Hello, my fans," he said proudly. "I'm back today."
"Stop being childish," the girl beside him, Daisy, sighed. "That's embarrassing."
"Come on," Daniel laughed. "I missed one day, you know."
"Everyone misses days," Daisy pouted. "I don't get what's special about that."
Daniel's eyes drifted toward Alan.
"Hey, Daisy," he asked. "Who's that guy?"
"No idea," she replied. "Must be new."
Daniel smiled. "New, huh? Maybe I'll visit his class after lunch."
---
After lunch, Alan returned to the classroom.
Everyone was already seated.
The door slid open.
Daniel walked in alone.
The class's attention shifted instantly.
Except for Alan.
"Hey, new guy," Daniel said cheerfully. "How're you doing?"
Alan looked up.
"I see you don't like chatting," Daniel laughed, pulling a chair and sitting beside him. "That's fine. Did you come from another school?"
"Not something you should worry about," Alan replied calmly.
Daniel blinked, then smiled wider. "Woah… I kinda like that. Wanna be friends?"
"I'm fine," Alan said.
"Huh?" Daniel chuckled. "Alright. But I bet we'll be friends someday. See you around."
He stood and walked away.
Alan watched him leave.
Daniel wasn't what he had expected.
He knew Daniel fought others—but there was something different about him.
Suddenly, loud thuds echoed from outside.
Punches.
Alan, seated near the window, looked out.
Two boys were beating another student on the ground.
At first, he felt nothing.
Then his eyes narrowed.
He recognized them.
Coner.
And Andrew.
---
To be continued…